PRQ20260072: Diagnostic Assessment for the Establishment of a Smart Corridor and Pathway toward No-Stop Borders

Job description __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Job details Job title: Programme Manager, Lobito Corridor Line Manager title: Country Director, DRC Grade: JG 5 Direct reports: Programme Officer Department: DRC Country Programme Location: Kolwezi, Lualaba, DRC Job summary The Programme Manager will lead the implementation of the EU-funded Lobito Corridor Programme (Kolwezi– Dilolo), with a focus on mineral and critical mineral trade flows. S/he will support the Country Director, DRC and the Programme Coordinator, in engagements and in managing relationships with Government agencies, with an overall mandate of facilitating the mineral’s trade flows. S/he will lead on activities throughout the Project Life Cycle Management (PCM) including at designing phases, planning and implementation; monitoring, evaluation, collaboration, learning and dissemination; quality assurance, reporting and oversight with regular steering committees; and stakeholder engagement including coordination with country and regional teams and external stakeholders. The Lobito Corridor is a strategic trade route linking the mineral-rich regions of the DRC and Zambia to global markets through Angola’s Port of Lobito, playing a critical role in the export of copper, cobalt, and other essential minerals. With EU support, the programme strengthens institutional coordination, simplifies mineral traceability procedures, improves digital trade systems, supports DRC–Angola policy alignment, and engages the private sector to enhance corridor efficiency. The job holder will supervise a Programme Officer through programme implementation and delivery; and will provide day-to-day leadership, coordination, and quality assurance. The role also works closely with the DRC Country Director to support coherence between corridor-level delivery and national programme priorities. The position collaborates closely with programme and technical teams based in Kinshasa and regional experts in Nairobi, including Results and Impact, Programme Delivery Hub functions, Transport Infrastructure, Business Competitiveness, Gender and Inclusiveness, Communications, Audit and Risk, to ensure technical rigor, risk management, and effective engagement with key national and regional stakeholders. Roles and responsibilities Programme Leadership, Delivery and PCM: (40%) • Support the DRC Country Director, and work closely with the Programme Coordinator, in managing the implementation and delivery of the Lobito Corridor Programme, including development and maintenance of programme strategies, annual work plans, budgets, and delivery schedules. • Ensure overall delivery of programme activities in line with agreed objectives, timelines, and budgets, with particular focus on mineral and critical mineral trade facilitation along the Kolwezi–Dilolo corridor. • Ensure good practice Programme Cycle Management (PCM) throughout the project lifecycle, including project design, development of Terms of Reference and technical specifications, mobilisation, procurement, contract management, implementation, reporting, closure, and sustainability planning. • Ensure compliance with TMA PCM guidelines and donor requirements as stipulated in EU and other contribution agreements. Financial Management, Grants and Donor Compliance: (20%) • Understand programme funding sources and implementation timelines agreed with funders and monitor delivery to ensure activities remain within approved scope, budget, and time. • Ensure compliance with grant management procedures and guidelines, including appraisal, implementation, reporting, amendments, and closure. • Clearly document and communicate any material changes to scope, budget, or timelines to relevant internal and external stakeholders. February 2026 © TMA 1Job description __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Risk Management, Controls and Safeguarding: (10%) • Apply the highest standards of controls and risk management practices and embed a strong risk and control culture across the programme. • Demonstrate sound judgement and timely escalation in the management of all types of risk, including operational, fiduciary, fraud, safeguarding, and reputational risks. • Identify, analyse, and escalate risk events or incidents in a timely manner, focusing on root-cause analysis and implementation of mitigating actions. • Maintain zero tolerance to bribery, fraud, and corruption, and immediately report any suspected or actual misconduct. • Adhere to safeguarding policies and procedures and promptly report any safeguarding concerns. • Complete all mandatory trainings within stipulated timelines. • Corridor Operations, Trade Facilitation and Institutional Coordination • Oversee engagement with key public institutions involved in mineral and rail-based trade, including DGDA, SNCC, OCC, CEEC, mining authorities